US20080247520A1 - System and apparatus for managing calls - Google Patents
System and apparatus for managing calls Download PDFInfo
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- US20080247520A1 US20080247520A1 US11/696,538 US69653807A US2008247520A1 US 20080247520 A1 US20080247520 A1 US 20080247520A1 US 69653807 A US69653807 A US 69653807A US 2008247520 A1 US2008247520 A1 US 2008247520A1
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- Prior art keywords
- voicemail
- communication device
- call
- redirection request
- redirection
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
- H04M3/53—Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages, i.e. mailbox systems
- H04M3/533—Voice mail systems
- H04M3/53316—Messaging centre selected by message originator
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/64—Automatic arrangements for answering calls; Automatic arrangements for recording messages for absent subscribers; Arrangements for recording conversations
- H04M1/65—Recording arrangements for recording a message from the calling party
- H04M1/658—Means for redirecting recorded messages to other extensions or equipment
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M7/00—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
- H04M7/006—Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more specifically to a system and apparatus for managing calls.
- Emails have provided such communications but access to email is not always available.
- Voicemail can provide a non-interactive service when the called party does not answer a call. However, the caller is not ensured that the called party will not answer the call.
- FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system
- FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary block diagram of one of several embodiments for a communication device operating in the communication system
- FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary method operating in portions of the communication system
- FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies disclosed herein.
- Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide a system and apparatus for managing calls.
- a computer-readable storage medium can have computer instructions for detecting a call directed to a communication device according to signaling information comprising an identifier (ID) of the communication device and a voicemail redirection request; and redirecting the call to a voicemail system responsive to the voicemail redirection request without transmitting a notice of the call to the communication device.
- ID an identifier
- a voicemail system can have a controller element that receives a call redirected away from a targeted communication device without providing the targeted communication device notice of the call responsive to a voicemail redirection request supplied by signaling information associated with the call.
- a communication device can have a controller element that initiates a call with signaling information including an identifier of a targeted communication device and a voicemail redirection request that requests redirection of the call to a voicemail system without notice supplied to the targeted communication device.
- FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 116 communicating by way of wired and wireless access points (WAPs) with other communication devices and/or a network proxy or management system 122 which collectively operate in a communication system 100 .
- the communication device 116 can be a multimode VoIP terminal. However, the present disclosure contemplates the use of other types of communication devices, including other types of voice, video and data devices.
- the communication system 100 can comprise a packet-switched network 105 .
- the packet-switched network can be an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 105 .
- the network 105 can be coupled to the network proxy 122 , the cellular network 113 and network elements located in one or more of the buildings 112 representing an enterprise or residence.
- the ISP network 105 utilizes technology for transporting Internet traffic.
- the building 112 can include a gateway 114 that provides voice and/or video connectivity services between communication devices 116 , such as VoIP terminals or other forms of communication devices of enterprise personnel.
- the building 112 can include a gateway 114 represented by, for example, a residential gateway coupled to central office 106 utilizing conventional telephonic switching for processing calls with third parties.
- the network proxy 122 can be used to control operations of a media gateway 109 , the central office 106 and the gateway 114 . Communications between the network proxy 122 , the communication devices 116 and other network elements of the communication system 100 can conform to any number of signaling protocols such as a session initiation protocol (SIP), SS7, or a video communications protocol such as H.323 which combines video and voice over a packet-switched network.
- SIP session initiation protocol
- SS7 SS7
- H.323 video communications protocol
- the network proxy 122 can comprise a communications interface 124 that utilizes common technology for communicating over an IP interface with the network 105 , the media gateway 109 , the cellular network 113 , and/or the gateway 114 .
- the network proxy 122 can direct by common means any of the foregoing network elements to establish packet switched data, voice, and/or video connections between communication devices 116 distributed throughout the communication system 100 .
- the network proxy 122 can further comprise a memory 126 (such as a high capacity storage medium) embodied in this illustration as a database, and a controller 128 that makes use of computing technology such as a desktop computer, or scalable server for controlling operations of the network proxy 122 .
- the network proxy 122 can operate as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) conforming in part to protocols defined by standards bodies such as 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Protocol).
- IMS IP Multimedia Subsystem
- the media gateway 109 can link packet-switched and circuit-switched technologies such as the cellular network 113 (or central office 106 ) and the network 105 , such as an ISP network.
- the media gateway 109 can conform to a media gateway control protocol (MGCP) also known as H.248 defined by work groups in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). This protocol can handle signaling and session management needed during a multimedia conference.
- MGCP media gateway control protocol
- H.248 defined by work groups in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
- IETF Internet Engineering Task Force
- This protocol defines a means of communication which converts data from the format required for a circuit-switched network to that required for a packet-switched network.
- MGCP can therefore be used to set up, maintain, and terminate calls between multiple disparate network elements of the communication system 100 .
- the media gateway 109 can therefore support hybrid communication environments for communication devices 116 , including VoIP terminals.
- the central office 106 can house common network switching equipment for distributing local and long-distance telecommunication services supplied by network 105 to buildings 112 (such as dwellings or commercial enterprises) telecommunication services of the central office 106 can include traditional POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) and broadband services such as HDTV, DSL, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), IPTV (Internet Protocol Television), Internet services, and so on.
- POTS Packet Old Telephone Service
- broadband services such as HDTV, DSL, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), IPTV (Internet Protocol Television), Internet services, and so on.
- the communication system 100 can utilize common computing and communications technologies to support circuit-switched and/or packet-switched communications.
- the cellular network 113 can support voice and data services over a number of access technologies such as GSM-GPRS, EDGE, CDMA-1X, UMTS, WiMAX, software defined radio (SDR), and other known and future technologies.
- the cellular network 113 can be coupled to base stations 127 under a frequency-reuse plan for communicating over-the-air with roaming VoIP terminals 116 .
- Controller 128 of the network proxy 122 can include a message processing system or sub-system which can be utilized to direct calls to a common voicemail system 123 to record by common means callback messages.
- the message processing system can redirect calls to the voicemail system 123 when it detects a calling party is unable to or does not desire to communicate directly with a called party.
- the callback message supplied by a calling party to the voicemail system 123 can represent a caller ID retrieved from a call initiated by the calling party over the communication network 100 utilizing common means, and/or a voicemail message supplied thereby.
- the voicemail system 123 can include technology such as found in an interactive voice response system (IVR) for interacting with the calling and called parties utilizing voice and keyed input signals (e.g., DTMF tones), and for processing a callback message supplied by the calling party according to a particular call flow design.
- IVR interactive voice response system
- the voicemail system 123 can support subscribers who are interested in storing callback messages such as a recorded voice message.
- the message processing system of the network proxy 122 can be provisioned to interact cooperatively with the voicemail system 123 to enhance processing of callback messages.
- the present disclosure contemplates the voicemail system 123 being a separate control system or systems in communication with the network proxy 122 .
- FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the communication device 116 .
- the communication device 116 can comprise a wired and/or wireless transceiver 202 , a user interface (UI) 204 , a power supply 214 , and a controller 206 for managing operations thereof.
- UI user interface
- the transceiver 202 utilizes common wireline access technology to support POTS or VoIP services.
- the transceiver 202 can utilize common technologies to support singly or in combination any number of wireless access technologies including without limitation cordless phone technology (e.g., DECT), BluetoothTM, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Ultra Wide Band (UWB), software defined radio (SDR), and cellular access technologies such as CDMA-LX, W-CDMA/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, and EVDO.
- SDR can be utilized for accessing a public or private communication spectrum according to any number of communication protocols that can be dynamically downloaded over-the-air to the communication device 116 . It should be noted also that next generation wireless access technologies can be applied to the present disclosure.
- the UI 204 can include a keypad 208 with depressible or touch sensitive navigation disk and keys for manipulating operations of the communication device 116 .
- the UI 204 can further include a display 210 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for conveying images to the end user of the communication device 116 , and an audio system 212 that utilizes common audio technology for conveying and intercepting audible signals of the end user.
- a display 210 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for conveying images to the end user of the communication device 116
- an audio system 212 that utilizes common audio technology for conveying and intercepting audible signals of the end user.
- the power supply 214 can utilize common power management technologies such as replaceable batteries, supply regulation technologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy to the components of the communication device 116 and to facilitate portable applications. In stationary applications, the power supply 214 can be modified so as to extract energy from a common wall outlet and thereby supply DC power to the components of the communication device 116 .
- the controller 206 can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor and/or digital signal processor (DSP) with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other like technologies for controlling operations of the aforementioned components of the communication device 116 .
- DSP digital signal processor
- FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary method 300 operating in portions of the communication system 100 .
- Method 300 has variants as depicted by the dashed lines. It would be apparent to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments not depicted in FIG. 3 are possible without departing from the scope of the claims described below.
- Method 300 begins with step 302 where a calling party initiates a call to the communication device 116 of a called party which can be detected by the network proxy 122 .
- the calling party can utilize a communication device similar or different to the called party (e.g., a cell phone, PSTN phone, VoIP phone, etc.) to initiate the call.
- the call can be detected by the network proxy 122 by analyzing signaling information such as SIP or SS7 associated with the detected call.
- signaling information can comprise an ID (e.g., an E.164 number, SIP URI, Tel URI, etc.) of the communication device 116 which can also be detected by the network proxy 122 , as in step 303 .
- the network proxy 122 can determine whether the call includes a request for redirection to a voicemail system associated with the communication device 116 of the called party.
- a voicemail system associated with the communication device 116 of the called party For illustration purposes the voicemail system of the called party is assumed to be the voicemail system 123 .
- the network proxy 122 redirects the call to the voicemail system 123 without transmitting a notice of the call to the communication device 116 of the called party.
- the called party does not hear a common alert signal such as a loud ring, melody or other form of alert generated by the communication device 116 of the called party since the called party's communication device does not receive signaling information from the communication system 100 associated with the call initiated by the calling party.
- a voicemail redirection request therefore provides the calling party a feature to avoid contact with the called party if recording a message by way of the voicemail system 123 is satisfactory to the calling party.
- the network proxy 122 detects in step 304 that the call does not include the redirection request, then the network proxy proceeds to step 308 where it directs one or more network elements of the communication system 100 to transmit the notice of the call to the communication device 116 by common means.
- the network proxy 122 can be programmed to determine whether a voicemail account exists for the communication device 116 that is being called, as in step 310 . The determination of the existence of the voicemail account can be based upon the ID of the communication device 116 or other suitable information associated with said device. If a voicemail account does exist for the communication device 116 , then access can be provided by the network proxy 122 to the voicemail system 123 without transmitting a notice of the call to the communication device 116 as previously described in step 306 .
- notice of the lack of a voicemail account e.g., an error message
- the particular type of notice transmitted by the network proxy 122 can depend upon the caller's communication device, and can include an auto-connection with an audio message or a text message to indicate the lack of a voicemail account.
- the error message can include an option for re-dialing the communication device 116 .
- the detection of the call to, and/or the ID of, the communication device 116 can be based on processing of signaling information that conforms to a session internet protocol (SIP) or SS7, as in step 314 .
- the call can be a PSTN or VoIP call operating in an IMS communications architecture.
- SIP or SS7 signaling information can be utilized to identify the ID of the communication device 116 being targeted and the voicemail redirection request.
- the call can be processed by the network proxy 122 as a sequence of dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals corresponding to the ID of the communication device 116 and the voicemail redirection request, as in step 316 .
- DTMF dual tone multi-frequency
- the voicemail redirection request can comprise a code entered at the caller's communication device, as in step 318 .
- an asterisk/numerical code can be used by a caller to indicate a voicemail redirection request.
- the caller can for instance dial “222-333-4444” to identify the called party immediately followed by dialing “* 2 ” to signal a voicemail redirection request.
- a redirection number to access the voicemail system 122 can be determined by the network proxy 122 from the ID of the communication device 116 , as in step 320 .
- the number 222-333-4444 can be used as an index to a database of the network proxy 122 to determine a contact number for the voicemail system 123 (e.g., 222-333-4545).
- a contact number for the voicemail system 123 e.g., 222-333-4545.
- the voicemail redirection request can also comprise a voicemail account ID, as in step 322 .
- the voicemail account ID can be used by the network proxy 122 for selecting the corresponding voicemail account in the voicemail system 123 .
- the caller can dial “222-333-4444” to identify the called party immediately followed by dialing “* 2 ” to signal a voicemail redirection request for voicemail account number 2.
- the network proxy 122 can transmit the voicemail account ID to the voicemail system 123 which selects the voicemail account for the calling party.
- the voicemail account ID can be utilized for providing the caller with access to a select voicemail account of the called party.
- the voicemail account IDs can be stored in database 126 for processing by controller 128 of the network proxy 122 .
- the voicemail system 122 can include an interactive voice response (IVR) system, as in step 324 .
- IVR interactive voice response
- the IVR system can utilize common voice recognition techniques that support a call flow for processing messages according to feedback supplied by the calling party (e.g., DTMF tones, voice responses, or other forms of electronic response entry).
- the voicemail system 122 and the network proxy 123 can be an integrated system as opposed to independently operated systems.
- the voicemail system 122 can transmit a voicemail notice to the communication device 116 of the called party immediately after the caller has recorded a message. Said voicemail notice can indicate to the called party whether voicemail message is the result of a redirection request or a missed call.
- FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system 400 within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed above.
- the machine operates as a standalone device.
- the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network) to other machines.
- the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.
- the machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.
- a device of the present disclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.
- the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.
- the computer system 400 may include a processor 402 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory 404 and a static memory 406 , which communicate with each other via a bus 408 .
- the computer system 400 may further include a video display unit 410 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)).
- the computer system 400 may include an input device 412 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 414 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 416 , a signal generation device 418 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device 420 .
- an input device 412 e.g., a keyboard
- a cursor control device 414 e.g., a mouse
- a disk drive unit 416 e.g., a disk drive unit 416
- a signal generation device 418 e.g., a speaker or remote control
- the disk drive unit 416 may include a machine-readable medium 422 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 424 ) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.
- the instructions 424 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 404 , the static memory 406 , and/or within the processor 402 during execution thereof by the computer system 400 .
- the main memory 404 and the processor 402 also may constitute machine-readable media.
- Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein.
- Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.
- the example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations.
- the methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs running on a computer processor.
- software implementations can include, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein.
- the present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containing instructions 424 , or that which receives and executes instructions 424 from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a network environment 426 can send or receive voice, video or data, and to communicate over the network 426 using the instructions 424 .
- the instructions 424 may further be transmitted or received over a network 426 via the network interface device 420 .
- machine-readable medium 422 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions.
- the term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure.
- machine-readable medium shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; and carrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions in a transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored.
- inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed.
- inventive concept merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed.
Abstract
Description
- The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more specifically to a system and apparatus for managing calls.
- Individuals often desire to communicate with another party without live interaction. Emails have provided such communications but access to email is not always available. Voicemail can provide a non-interactive service when the called party does not answer a call. However, the caller is not ensured that the called party will not answer the call.
- A need therefore arises for a system and apparatus for managing calls.
-
FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system; -
FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary block diagram of one of several embodiments for a communication device operating in the communication system; -
FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary method operating in portions of the communication system; and -
FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies disclosed herein. - Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide a system and apparatus for managing calls.
- In a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium can have computer instructions for detecting a call directed to a communication device according to signaling information comprising an identifier (ID) of the communication device and a voicemail redirection request; and redirecting the call to a voicemail system responsive to the voicemail redirection request without transmitting a notice of the call to the communication device.
- In a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a voicemail system can have a controller element that receives a call redirected away from a targeted communication device without providing the targeted communication device notice of the call responsive to a voicemail redirection request supplied by signaling information associated with the call.
- In a third embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device, can have a controller element that initiates a call with signaling information including an identifier of a targeted communication device and a voicemail redirection request that requests redirection of the call to a voicemail system without notice supplied to the targeted communication device.
-
FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of acommunication device 116 communicating by way of wired and wireless access points (WAPs) with other communication devices and/or a network proxy ormanagement system 122 which collectively operate in acommunication system 100. Thecommunication device 116 can be a multimode VoIP terminal. However, the present disclosure contemplates the use of other types of communication devices, including other types of voice, video and data devices. Thecommunication system 100 can comprise a packet-switchednetwork 105. The packet-switched network can be an Internet Service Provider (ISP)network 105. Thenetwork 105 can be coupled to thenetwork proxy 122, thecellular network 113 and network elements located in one or more of thebuildings 112 representing an enterprise or residence. TheISP network 105 utilizes technology for transporting Internet traffic. - In an enterprise setting, the
building 112 can include agateway 114 that provides voice and/or video connectivity services betweencommunication devices 116, such as VoIP terminals or other forms of communication devices of enterprise personnel. In a residential setting, thebuilding 112 can include agateway 114 represented by, for example, a residential gateway coupled tocentral office 106 utilizing conventional telephonic switching for processing calls with third parties. - The
network proxy 122 can be used to control operations of amedia gateway 109, thecentral office 106 and thegateway 114. Communications between thenetwork proxy 122, thecommunication devices 116 and other network elements of thecommunication system 100 can conform to any number of signaling protocols such as a session initiation protocol (SIP), SS7, or a video communications protocol such as H.323 which combines video and voice over a packet-switched network. - The
network proxy 122 can comprise acommunications interface 124 that utilizes common technology for communicating over an IP interface with thenetwork 105, themedia gateway 109, thecellular network 113, and/or thegateway 114. By way of thecommunications interface 124, thenetwork proxy 122 can direct by common means any of the foregoing network elements to establish packet switched data, voice, and/or video connections betweencommunication devices 116 distributed throughout thecommunication system 100. Thenetwork proxy 122 can further comprise a memory 126 (such as a high capacity storage medium) embodied in this illustration as a database, and acontroller 128 that makes use of computing technology such as a desktop computer, or scalable server for controlling operations of thenetwork proxy 122. Thenetwork proxy 122 can operate as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) conforming in part to protocols defined by standards bodies such as 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Protocol). - Under the control of the
network proxy 122, themedia gateway 109 can link packet-switched and circuit-switched technologies such as the cellular network 113 (or central office 106) and thenetwork 105, such as an ISP network. Themedia gateway 109 can conform to a media gateway control protocol (MGCP) also known as H.248 defined by work groups in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). This protocol can handle signaling and session management needed during a multimedia conference. The protocol defines a means of communication which converts data from the format required for a circuit-switched network to that required for a packet-switched network. MGCP can therefore be used to set up, maintain, and terminate calls between multiple disparate network elements of thecommunication system 100. Themedia gateway 109 can therefore support hybrid communication environments forcommunication devices 116, including VoIP terminals. - The
central office 106 can house common network switching equipment for distributing local and long-distance telecommunication services supplied bynetwork 105 to buildings 112 (such as dwellings or commercial enterprises) telecommunication services of thecentral office 106 can include traditional POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) and broadband services such as HDTV, DSL, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), IPTV (Internet Protocol Television), Internet services, and so on. Thecommunication system 100 can utilize common computing and communications technologies to support circuit-switched and/or packet-switched communications. - The
cellular network 113 can support voice and data services over a number of access technologies such as GSM-GPRS, EDGE, CDMA-1X, UMTS, WiMAX, software defined radio (SDR), and other known and future technologies. Thecellular network 113 can be coupled tobase stations 127 under a frequency-reuse plan for communicating over-the-air with roamingVoIP terminals 116. -
Controller 128 of thenetwork proxy 122 can include a message processing system or sub-system which can be utilized to direct calls to acommon voicemail system 123 to record by common means callback messages. The message processing system can redirect calls to thevoicemail system 123 when it detects a calling party is unable to or does not desire to communicate directly with a called party. The callback message supplied by a calling party to thevoicemail system 123 can represent a caller ID retrieved from a call initiated by the calling party over thecommunication network 100 utilizing common means, and/or a voicemail message supplied thereby. - The
voicemail system 123 can include technology such as found in an interactive voice response system (IVR) for interacting with the calling and called parties utilizing voice and keyed input signals (e.g., DTMF tones), and for processing a callback message supplied by the calling party according to a particular call flow design. Thevoicemail system 123 can support subscribers who are interested in storing callback messages such as a recorded voice message. The message processing system of thenetwork proxy 122 can be provisioned to interact cooperatively with thevoicemail system 123 to enhance processing of callback messages. The present disclosure contemplates thevoicemail system 123 being a separate control system or systems in communication with thenetwork proxy 122. -
FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of thecommunication device 116. Thecommunication device 116 can comprise a wired and/orwireless transceiver 202, a user interface (UI) 204, apower supply 214, and acontroller 206 for managing operations thereof. In an embodiment where thecommunication device 116 operates in a landline environment, thetransceiver 202 utilizes common wireline access technology to support POTS or VoIP services. - In a wireless communications setting, the
transceiver 202 can utilize common technologies to support singly or in combination any number of wireless access technologies including without limitation cordless phone technology (e.g., DECT), Bluetooth™, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Ultra Wide Band (UWB), software defined radio (SDR), and cellular access technologies such as CDMA-LX, W-CDMA/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, and EVDO. SDR can be utilized for accessing a public or private communication spectrum according to any number of communication protocols that can be dynamically downloaded over-the-air to thecommunication device 116. It should be noted also that next generation wireless access technologies can be applied to the present disclosure. - The UI 204 can include a
keypad 208 with depressible or touch sensitive navigation disk and keys for manipulating operations of thecommunication device 116. The UI 204 can further include adisplay 210 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for conveying images to the end user of thecommunication device 116, and anaudio system 212 that utilizes common audio technology for conveying and intercepting audible signals of the end user. - The
power supply 214 can utilize common power management technologies such as replaceable batteries, supply regulation technologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy to the components of thecommunication device 116 and to facilitate portable applications. In stationary applications, thepower supply 214 can be modified so as to extract energy from a common wall outlet and thereby supply DC power to the components of thecommunication device 116. Thecontroller 206 can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor and/or digital signal processor (DSP) with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other like technologies for controlling operations of the aforementioned components of thecommunication device 116. -
FIG. 3 depicts anexemplary method 300 operating in portions of thecommunication system 100.Method 300 has variants as depicted by the dashed lines. It would be apparent to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments not depicted inFIG. 3 are possible without departing from the scope of the claims described below. -
Method 300 begins withstep 302 where a calling party initiates a call to thecommunication device 116 of a called party which can be detected by thenetwork proxy 122. The calling party can utilize a communication device similar or different to the called party (e.g., a cell phone, PSTN phone, VoIP phone, etc.) to initiate the call. The call can be detected by thenetwork proxy 122 by analyzing signaling information such as SIP or SS7 associated with the detected call. In one embodiment, signaling information can comprise an ID (e.g., an E.164 number, SIP URI, Tel URI, etc.) of thecommunication device 116 which can also be detected by thenetwork proxy 122, as in step 303. Instep 304, thenetwork proxy 122 can determine whether the call includes a request for redirection to a voicemail system associated with thecommunication device 116 of the called party. For illustration purposes the voicemail system of the called party is assumed to be thevoicemail system 123. - With this in mind, if the call includes a redirection request, then in
step 306 thenetwork proxy 122 redirects the call to thevoicemail system 123 without transmitting a notice of the call to thecommunication device 116 of the called party. Hence, the called party does not hear a common alert signal such as a loud ring, melody or other form of alert generated by thecommunication device 116 of the called party since the called party's communication device does not receive signaling information from thecommunication system 100 associated with the call initiated by the calling party. A voicemail redirection request therefore provides the calling party a feature to avoid contact with the called party if recording a message by way of thevoicemail system 123 is satisfactory to the calling party. If on the other hand thenetwork proxy 122 detects instep 304 that the call does not include the redirection request, then the network proxy proceeds to step 308 where it directs one or more network elements of thecommunication system 100 to transmit the notice of the call to thecommunication device 116 by common means. - In one embodiment, the
network proxy 122 can be programmed to determine whether a voicemail account exists for thecommunication device 116 that is being called, as instep 310. The determination of the existence of the voicemail account can be based upon the ID of thecommunication device 116 or other suitable information associated with said device. If a voicemail account does exist for thecommunication device 116, then access can be provided by thenetwork proxy 122 to thevoicemail system 123 without transmitting a notice of the call to thecommunication device 116 as previously described instep 306. If thecommunication device 116 does not have a voicemail account, then notice of the lack of a voicemail account, e.g., an error message, can be provided by thenetwork proxy 122 to the calling party when a redirection request is detected, as instep 312. The particular type of notice transmitted by thenetwork proxy 122 can depend upon the caller's communication device, and can include an auto-connection with an audio message or a text message to indicate the lack of a voicemail account. In one embodiment, the error message can include an option for re-dialing thecommunication device 116. - As noted earlier, the detection of the call to, and/or the ID of, the
communication device 116 can be based on processing of signaling information that conforms to a session internet protocol (SIP) or SS7, as in step 314. Accordingly the call can be a PSTN or VoIP call operating in an IMS communications architecture. SIP or SS7 signaling information can be utilized to identify the ID of thecommunication device 116 being targeted and the voicemail redirection request. In one embodiment, the call can be processed by thenetwork proxy 122 as a sequence of dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals corresponding to the ID of thecommunication device 116 and the voicemail redirection request, as instep 316. - The voicemail redirection request can comprise a code entered at the caller's communication device, as in step 318. For example, an asterisk/numerical code can be used by a caller to indicate a voicemail redirection request. The caller can for instance dial “222-333-4444” to identify the called party immediately followed by dialing “*2” to signal a voicemail redirection request. A redirection number to access the
voicemail system 122 can be determined by thenetwork proxy 122 from the ID of thecommunication device 116, as instep 320. For example, the number 222-333-4444 can be used as an index to a database of thenetwork proxy 122 to determine a contact number for the voicemail system 123 (e.g., 222-333-4545). With this technique, the call can be redirected by thenetwork proxy 122 to thevoicemail system 123 using the redirection number. - The voicemail redirection request can also comprise a voicemail account ID, as in
step 322. The voicemail account ID can be used by thenetwork proxy 122 for selecting the corresponding voicemail account in thevoicemail system 123. For example, the caller can dial “222-333-4444” to identify the called party immediately followed by dialing “*2” to signal a voicemail redirection request for voicemail account number 2. Alternatively, thenetwork proxy 122 can transmit the voicemail account ID to thevoicemail system 123 which selects the voicemail account for the calling party. The voicemail account ID can be utilized for providing the caller with access to a select voicemail account of the called party. The voicemail account IDs can be stored indatabase 126 for processing bycontroller 128 of thenetwork proxy 122. - The
voicemail system 122 can include an interactive voice response (IVR) system, as instep 324. The IVR system can utilize common voice recognition techniques that support a call flow for processing messages according to feedback supplied by the calling party (e.g., DTMF tones, voice responses, or other forms of electronic response entry). - From the foregoing descriptions, it would be evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that the aforementioned embodiments can be modified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims described below. For example, the
voicemail system 122 and thenetwork proxy 123 can be an integrated system as opposed to independently operated systems. Additionally, thevoicemail system 122 can transmit a voicemail notice to thecommunication device 116 of the called party immediately after the caller has recorded a message. Said voicemail notice can indicate to the called party whether voicemail message is the result of a redirection request or a missed call. These are but a few examples of the modifications that can be applied to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims for a fuller understanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system 400 within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. - The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will be understood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.
- The computer system 400 may include a processor 402 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a
main memory 404 and astatic memory 406, which communicate with each other via abus 408. The computer system 400 may further include a video display unit 410 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 400 may include an input device 412 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 414 (e.g., a mouse), adisk drive unit 416, a signal generation device 418 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and anetwork interface device 420. - The
disk drive unit 416 may include a machine-readable medium 422 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 424) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 424 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within themain memory 404, thestatic memory 406, and/or within theprocessor 402 during execution thereof by the computer system 400. Themain memory 404 and theprocessor 402 also may constitute machine-readable media. - Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations.
- In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs running on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementations can include, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein.
- The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable
medium containing instructions 424, or that which receives and executesinstructions 424 from a propagated signal so that a device connected to anetwork environment 426 can send or receive voice, video or data, and to communicate over thenetwork 426 using theinstructions 424. Theinstructions 424 may further be transmitted or received over anetwork 426 via thenetwork interface device 420. - While the machine-
readable medium 422 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure. - The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; and carrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions in a transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored.
- Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents.
- The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
- Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.
- The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
Claims (20)
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Also Published As
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US8345834B2 (en) | 2013-01-01 |
US8451991B2 (en) | 2013-05-28 |
US20130243168A1 (en) | 2013-09-19 |
US8675834B2 (en) | 2014-03-18 |
US20130072166A1 (en) | 2013-03-21 |
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